Radiant energy generator and shield for same

ABSTRACT

A radiant energy generator, including a plurality of reflectors, each having a parabolic or circularly arcuate cross section, circumferentially spaced from a center point is described. A radiant energy source is positioned within each reflector and a lens is provided for each source. Radiant energy is concentrated in an area equidistant from the center point. A radiant energy shield comprising a pair of solenoid actuated split rings is positioned near the ends of the reflectors. In one position the split rings allow readily the positioning of a tube through the center point, and in another, address the tube to prevent longitudinal leakage of radiation.

United States Patent [72} Inventor Howard L. Gerber Park Forest, 111. [21] Appl. No. 863,521 [22] Filed Oct. 3, 1969 Division of Ser. No. 450,391, Apr. 23, 1965. [45] Patented Aug. 3, 1971 [73] Assignee Continental Can Company, Inc.

New York, N.Y.

(54] RADIANT ENERGY GENERATOR AND SHIEL FOR SAME 13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 219/68, 219/349 [51] Int. Cl 1105b l/00 [50] Field of Search 219/68, 343, 349, 388

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,611,848 9/1952 Smith 219/349 UX coouzo 63 cmiooe 59 Primary Examiner-R. F. Staubly Att0rney Diller, Brown, Ramik & Holt ABSTRACT: A radiant energy generator, including a plurality of reflectors, each having a parabolic or circularly arcuate cross section, circumferentially spaced from a center point is described. A radiant energy source is positioned within each reflector and a lens is provided for each source. Radiant energy is concentrated in an area equidistant from the center point. A radiant energy shield comprising a pair of solenoid actuated split rings is positioned near the ends of the reflectors. in one position the split rings allow readily the positioning of a tube through the center point, and in another, address the tube to prevent longitudinal leakage of radiation.

ANODE 6| PATENIED ms 319?: 3.597.569

sum 1 or 3 INVENTOR HOWARD L.GERBER 1Q JJM ATTORNEYS he. i.

RADIANT lENlEltGY GENERATOR ANDSHEIELID FDR SAME This application is a division of application, Ser. No. 450,391,filed Apr. 23, 1965.

This invention relates to a radiant energy generator and shield for same. The invention is especially useful in an apparatus and method for achieving container body separation and more specifically to the use of radiated energy for the purpose of melting and separating container or tube portions from a continuous length of tubing to achieve the formation of container bodies.

A number of methods are known or have been proposed concerning the fabrication of tubular container bodies such as the familiar can utilized in the beverage and other industries. Basically, a known form of container body fabrication involves the severing of container blanks of the desired dimensions from a roll of container stock material. The container blanks are then advanced seriatim through a container body former to achieve a union of the two ends of the blank to form a container body. As the technology advanced, it was discovered that fabrication speeds could be increased and great economies effected by forming the container bodies directly from the roll of container stock material, which eliminated the step of severing the individual container blank from the roll of stock material. Accordingly, methods and procedures were developed for forming a continuous tube about an internal structure, commonly known as a horn, from the roll of container stock material. After the union of the two ends of the container material was achieved by welding or other means, it would then be necessary to transversely sever the tubing at preselected intervals in order to form container bodies having the desired length. The severing operation has been accomplished with some degree of success. One disadvantage in the step of severing the tubing was the requirement that the tubing be retarded in velocity or stopped in order to sever the tubing for forming the container bodies. Another disadvantage concerned the distortion of the container body during the severing operation so that a step of reforming was necessary after the severing had been performed. Other disadvantages are known and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The present invention proposes to overcome the past difficulties in severing rapidly advancing tubing by the utilization of directing a high intensity radiation source about the circumference of the tubing at the particular point where separation is desired. Such separation may be achieved by focusing the energy from a plasma source on the zone of separation which produces a melting of the material within the zone so that the container body may now be separated and formed from the continuous length of tubing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiant energy generator particularly suitable for use in an apparatus and method involving container body formation techniques.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a radiant energy generator suitable for use in an apparatus and method for achieving separation of selected lengths of tubing from a continuous length of tubing by the principle of selective reflection and absorption of the energy from the radiation source.

It is another object of the invention to provide a shield for use with the radiant energy generator.

in general, container bodies are made of materials such as aluminum or tinplate steel and exhibit a high degree of reflectivity. As a result, container body separation may be attained by providing a means for selectively absorbing radiated energy in the area which it is desired to separate a container body from the continuous length of tubing. Apparatus is disclosed and a method set forth for accomplishing the separation by at least two different techniques. The first technique employs the deposition of a thin black film at the desired area of separation. The circumferential thin black film may be deposited upon the periphery of the tubing at desired intervals by a paint applicator ring, which ring is in two mating sections, each half of which is advanced by the tubing-towing device. The tubular body is then passed under an intense radiation source such as a'heat or light generating means. The black film deposited upon the tube would absorb the heat and transmit it to the substrate body which is the advancing tube. The uncoated surface of the tube would reflect the radiated energy due to its high reflectivity. The tubing would then melt at the place where the black film was deposited and separation is assisted by container conveyors which are driven at a velocity slightly in excess of the tube conveyors.

The second technique employs the use of geometry along with the radiation source. The tubing is scored at the desired line of separation. Discrimination of the radiated energy can be attained by varying the angle of incidence of the applied radiation. The radiation would be reflected and absorbed within the score and this absorbed energy at the score would melt the substrate (the tube) to permit the more rapidly advancing container conveyors to separate the tubing at the score mark.

With the advent of plasma light beams and plasma jets, high energy radiation sources are available for the practice of the invention. A novel reflector and lens arrangement is disclosed for housing the plasma light source in addition to an actuable light shield to permit entry of the tubing into the light source cavity but providing protection of personnel to the high energy radiation. If the tubing to be severed has been joined along its seam by a method wherein the seam is of slightly larger cross section than the remaining portions of the container body, then greater radiation may be concentrated in the seam area so that the tubing may be uniformly severed. The melting process of the tubing produced by the radiation energy would propagate across the weld area and achieve complete separation along with the remaining areas of separation.

The invention both as to its organization and method of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view with parts broken away for the purpose of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the radiation source shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along theline 3-3 ofthe FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view transversely of the lens and taken along the line 4-4 of the H6. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic elevational view of the light shield employed with the radiation source of the FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal view of a container-body-forming apparatus wherein the tubing is separated by circumferentially scoring the tubing before the application of the radiation ener- 83/;

FIG. 7 is an electrical block diagram partly in schematic of the electrical circuitry employed in the practice of the invention; and,

FIG. ti is an elevational view illustrating the reflected radiation in a score.

With reference to the top perspective view shown in the FIG. 1, the system is mounted upon and supported by a substantially horizontal base member 10. The base member 10 supports a radiant energy source 12 midway between a tube conveyor 14 and a container conveyor 16. The tube conveyor 14 advances a section of tubing 18 from left to right through the radiant energy source 12. The separated container bodies are removed from the radiant energy source 12 by the cooperation of the container conveyor 16.

The tube conveyor 14 includes a pair of contrarotating-towing devices which support split but mating elements for advancing and for marking the tubing 18. More specifically, one section of the tube conveyor 14 includes a pair of sprockets 24 positioned upon the base member 10 and in spatial relation so as to support and advance a chain member 26 having a portion of its run substantially parallel to the path of the tubing 18, as shown in the FIG. 1. The sprockets 24 are mounted within suitable bearings upon the base member and advanced by any suitable means, well known in the art.

Similarly, the second portion of the tube conveyor 14 includes a second pair of sprockets 28 mounted upon the base member 10 in such a manner that the sprockets 28 support and advance a chain member 30. The chain member 30 is supported in such a manner that a portion of its travel is parallel v to the direction of travel ofthe tubing 18.

The chain members 26 and 30 support split but mating pairs of tube grippers 32, only one of which is shown for the purposes of clarity. The corresponding and mating tube gripper 32 supported by the chain member 30, has been removed in order to eliminate obscuring portions and to show the gripper material 34 which is of a high frictional material and journaled within the tube gripper 32 in order to engage the tubing 18 and provide for its advancement. Additional pairs of tube grippers 32 would be appropriately spaced about the chain members 26 and 30 as found necessary to uniformly advance the tubing 18. In addition to the tube grippers 32, the chain members 26 and 30, support split and mating pairs of indicia applicator ring supports 36 and 36, supported by the chain members 26 and 30, respectively. Each of the indicia applicator ring supports 36 supports within its inner circumference an indicia applicator ring 38 and 38' on the indicia applicator ring supports 36 and 36', respectively. The indicia applicator ring supports 36 and 36' would be spaced at appropriate intervals on the chain members 26 and 30, respectively, according to the length of the container bodies that are desired.

With continued reference to the FIG. 1, it will be noted that a pair of coating applicators 40 and 42 are positioned at the extremities of the base member 10 and in juxtaposition with the applicator ring supports 36 and 36 in their nonengaging positions (their open position as the applicator ring supports 36 and 36' are being returned to remark or engage the tubing 18). The coating applicators 40 and 42 support, respectively, coating rolls 44 and 46 and engage the indicia applicator rings 38 and 38' as they pass their respective coating rolls 44 and 46. Paint or other suitable coating material is supplied to the coating rolls 44 and 46 by any suitable means and the rolls may be advanced by a pulley and belt arrangement 48 which is driven by any suitable means. As the applicator ring supports 36 and 36' advance past their respective coating rolls 44 and 46, the coating material is transferred from its respective coating roll 44 or 46 to the indicia applicator rings 38 and 38' supported by their respective applicator ring supports 36 and 36' When the indicia applicator ring supports 36 and 36' reach the point of engagement with the tubing 18, the paint or other coating material will be transferred from the indicia applicator rings 38 and 38' to the tubing 18 to form the circumferential indicia 50 upon the tubing 18, as shown. Successive circumferential indicia 50 are placed upon the tubing 18 at distances from each other corresponding to the desired container body lengths. The indicia 50 may be dark paint.

After the tubing 18 is impressed with the circumferential indicia 50, it becomes a tubing marked for separation and advances toward the radiant energy source 12.

As the tubing 20 marked for separation bearing the circumferential indicia 50 advances from left to right, an electrical indication of the presence of a circumferential indicia 50 is generated by a photoelectric cell 52 positioned along the tubing path. To be discussed hereinafter, the function of the photoelectric cell 52 is to alert the radiant energy source 12 and to actuate a pair of radiant energy shields 54 and 54, which shields 54 and 54 enclose the radiant energy source 12. The radiant energy shields 54 and 54 are shown in the FIG. 1 as broken away and are discussed in detail with reference to the FIG. 5. The radiant energy shields 54 and 54, triggered by the photoelectric cell 52, open so as to permit the entry of the tubing 20 marked for separation and bearing the circumferential indicia 50. If the radiant energy shields 54 and 54' were not of the openable type, then in the event that the circumferential indicia 50 was not dry, it would be smeared and thus retard or inhibit the separation process. The radiant energy source 12 is supported within a housing 56 containing a plurality of radiant energy tubes 58, 58' and 58", the later one not being visible in FIG. 1. The radiant energy source 12 is discussed in detail with later reference to the FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

With reference to the FIG. 1, as a tubing 20 marked for separation emerges from the radiant energy source 12, it is engaged by a pair of parallel belts 60 which comprise the container conveyor 16. The tubing 20 marked for separation now becomes a separated portion of tubing or container body 22, as shown, and is advanced by the container conveyor 16 to an output means, not shown. The means for advancing the container conveyor 16, not shown, operates at a greater linear velocity than the linear velocity of the tube conveyor 14 in order that the container conveyor 16 may assist in the separation process. As the circumferential indicia 50 upon the tubing 20 marked for separation absorbs the radiation from the radiant energy source 12, the substrate or metal under the circumferential indicia 50 melts and the accelerated velocity of the container conveyor 16 assists in pulling away or separating a container body 22 from the tubing 20 marked for separation.

The FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the radiant energy source 12 and includes a housing 56 in the shape of three circular reflectors 62, 62' and 62" symmetrically joined to form a housing and reflector for three radiant energy tubes 58, 58' and 58", respectively. Although circular reflectors are shown, parabolic reflectors may also be employed and may even be more efficient than the circular reflectors shown. The reflectors 62 are so joined as to permit the passage of the tubing 20 marked for separation through the radiant energy source 12 so as to permit the radiant energy from the radiant energy tubes 58, 58' and 58" to impinge upon the tubing 20 marked for separation.

As shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3, the tubing 20 marked for separation passes through the chamber formed by the parabolic reflectors 62, 62' and 62" to receive the radiant energy generated by the radiant energy tubes 58, 58' and 58". The focusing of the radiant energy from the aforementioned radiant energy tubes is concentrated upon the circumferential indicia 50 by a semicylindrical lens 64 (which may be of quartz) positioned within the housing formed in each of the parabolic reflectors 62, 62' and 62" and approximately midway between the radiant energy shields 54 and 54. A sectional view transversely of the lens 64 is shown in the FIG. 4. A pair of radiant energy shields 54 and 54', as shown in the FIG. 3, enclose the chamber formed within the three parabolic reflectors 62, 62 and 62" so that the radiant energy generated within the radiant energy source 12 is effectively concentrated, through the cooperation of the semicylindrical lenses 64, 64' and 64", upon the circumferential indicia 50 borne by the tubing 20 marked for separation. As to be hereinafter discussed, the photoelectric cell and control 52 of the FIGS. 1 and 7 operated to trigger the radiant energy tubes 58, 58' and 58" when the circumferential indicia 50 on the tubing 20 marked for separation is positioned substantially below the semicylindricai lenses 64, 64' and 64". Through the cooperate effort of the three radiant energy tubes 58, 58 and 58" and their associated semicylindrical lenses 64, 64' and 64", radiation is effectively directed in the form of heat radiation substantially the entire 360 about the tubing 20 marked for separation in the area of the circumferential indicia 50. The circumferential indicia 50, being of an energy-absorbing composition, will absorb the radiation and thus melt the substrate (the tubing 20 marked for separation) under the circumferential indicia 50 and, the energy directed upon the tubing 20 marked for separation other than upon the circumferential indicia 50 will he reflected and not absorbed. The separation of the tubing 20 marked for separation is then assisted by the container conveyor l6 which in effect accelerates the tubing 20 marked for separation away from its mating member, the tube now becoming a container body 22.

The radiation source of the FIGS. 2 and 3 may be of any commercially available plasma light beam, plasmadyne, or plasmajetapparatus.Generally these light energy radiation systems comprise a cooled cathode 59 and a cooled anode 61, as shown in the FIG. 3. A gas, such as helium, argon, nitrogen, is admitted into the area between the electrodes 59 and 61 by a pair of conduits 63 and 63. The gas leaves via an aperture 65 in the anode 61. Radiant energy comes from a high-pressure plasma jet that is sealed inside a pressure vessel. The cathode 59 and the anode 61 produce an arc in the flow of an inert gas that leaves the vessel as a plasma jet.

The chamber formed within the parabolic reflectors 62, 62' and 62" is effectively sealed by radiant energy shields 54 and 54 as shown in the FIG. 3 and in detail in the FIG. 5. The primary purpose of the radiant energy shields 54 and S ll is for the protection of personnel. In addition, the energy shields 54 and S ll may be employed to effectively seal the chamber within the parabolic reflectors so that an inert or other atmosphere may be employed during the separation process, if such is desired. As shown in the FIG. 5, each of the radiant energy shields i and 5 1' are supported by any suitable base such as the square U-shaped base member 66. Positioned upon each of the terminal members of the base member 66 are solenoid coils as and 68'. T-shaped armatures 70 and 70' pass through the solenoid coils 68 and 63, respectively. The top of the T of the armatures 7b and 70 are positioned externally from their respective solenoid oh and 6b with the lower portion of the T connected to a split ring section 72 and 72', respectively. Linkage arrangements 74 and 74 are pivotally connected to the split ring sections 72 and 72' and are urged together by the spring members 76 and 76', respectively. On the inside circumference of the split ring sections 72 and 72' are sections of linings 7b and 78, such as felt, which are in sliding engagement with the tube marked for separation while the radiant energy shields 5d and 54' are closed and are retracted away from the tubing 20 during entry and exit of the circumferential indicia and the separated area under the circumferential indicia 50 after separation. If the felt lining 78 is not retracted away from the tubing 20 marked for separation during its entry into the radiant energy source 12, then the circumferential indicia Sill may be smeared in the event that the indicia St) has not dried as yet. In addition, the felt lining 78 is retracted by its associated split ring sections 72 and 72' after separation since the area of separation would be at the melting temperature of the tubing and thus burn or in other ways be deleterious to the lining 78.

As shown in the FIG. 5, suitable voltage applied to the solenoid coils 68 and I58 would cause the armatures '70 and 70' to be driven outwardly, thus enlarging the opening between the split ring sections 72 and 72 and permitting the entry of the circumferential indicia Ell bearing member 20 without a possible smearing or other way spreading of the circumferential coating material.

The FIG. 7 shows the electrical circuitry, partly in block diagram and partly in schematic, employed in the practice of the invention. A suitable voltage is applied to the pair of input terminals 77 and 79 for actuating the elements shown in the FIG. 7. A motor 8% would be coupled by any suitable means to advance the sprockets 2 1i and 28 of the FIG. I to provide a means for advancing the chain members 26 and and the elements supported by the chain members. A second motor 82 would be coupled to advance the container conveyor 16 of the FIG. ll. It will be noted that the motor 80 and the motor 82 do not produce identical revolutions per minute to their respective shafts. Normally the motor 32 would be driven at an rpm. in excess of the rpm. of the shaft of the motor 80 in order that the container conveyor 16 would assist in the tube separation process by a gentle urging of the container body 22 away from the tubing 20 marked for separation. In this manner, complete separation of the tubing 20 by the radiant energy source 12 is not required in that the container conveyor lti, advancing at a rate slightly in excess of the tube conveyor M, will urge the container body 22 away from the tubing 20 at the point of separation which is the circumferential indicia 50.

With further reference to the FIG. 7, a light source 84 would be positioned in such a manner adjacent the photoelectric cell 52 of the FIG. 1, so that the photoelectric cell and control 52 would detect and indicate the passage of the circumferential indicia 50 on the tubing 20 marked for separation. The output from the photoelectric cell and control 52 of the FIG. 7 is applied to a delay circuit 86 which delays the signal an interval of time equal to the time of passage of the circumferential indicia 50 in front of the photoelectric cell 52 immediately in front of the radiant energy shield 54'. At that time, a signal on the conductors 88 from the delay 86 would actuate the light shield armatures 68 and 68 (best shown in the FIG. 5) to open the split ring sections 72 and 72'. Both of the radiant energy shields 54 and 54 would be actuated, the energy shield 54 being opened to permit the section of the tubing 20 that has been heated to melting to exit, thus not damaging the lining 78 of the energy shield 54 and, the energy shield 54' would open to admit a new section of tubing 20 so as to not smear or otherwise spread the circumferential indicia 50 upon the tubing 20.

After the short delay by the delay circuit 86 of the FIG. 7, an additional delay is provided by a delay circuit 90 which delays the signal a sufficient period of time to permit the circumferential indicia 50, best shown in the FIG. 3, to be positioned approximately under the semicylindrical lens 64 in order to receive the greatest amount of radiant energy from the radiant energy tubes. As shown in the FIG. 7, the delayed signal from the delay circuit 90 is applied to trigger a power supply 92 whose output excites the radiant energy tubes 58, 58' and 58". The power supply may include suitable capacitor storage means (not shown) sufficient to excite the radiant energy tubes in such a manner to cause melting of the metal in the area under the circumferential indicia 50 which has absorbed the radiation to a greater extent due to its darker color than the remaining portions of the tubing 20, marked for separation, which are generally reflective surfaces.

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal view ofa container body forming means and an alternate manner in which the separation is accomplished. A roll of container body material equal in width to the desired circumference of a container body is indicated at 94. Continuous tubing 18 is formed from the roll 94 by a seam former 96 which may be of a type well known in the art. Instead of applying a coating, such as the circumferential indicia 50 as noted in the FIG. 1, a tube scorer 98 is employed to score the periphery of the tubing 18 at the score intervals lltltl equal to the desired container body length. Such a tube scoring device may be one well known in the art wherein the indicia applicator ring supports 36 and 36' of the FIG. 1 would have their indicia applicator rings 38 and 38 replaced with circular scoring dies. As the scored tubing 20 marked for separation approaches the radiant energy source 12, the radiant energy shields S4 and 54' (FIG. 5) may or may not be actuated according to the possibility of damage to the energy shields. With such a score as the score 100 applied to the tubing 20' of the FIG. 6, discrimination between the reflecting areas and the absorbing areas can be attained by varying the angle of incidence of the applied radiation. As the radiation impinges upon a surface in the score, some energy is reflected and some absorbed. Because of the many reflections in the score, more energy is absorbed in a score than in the case of a flat surface. The FIG. 8 is illustrative of the energy reflections in a score. The radiant energy source 12 would be triggered in such a manner that maximum absorption of the radiated energy would be directed to the score area 100 thus melting the tubing in that area while the radiated energy would be reflected from the smooth surfaces of the tubing 20 scored for separation. A container conveyor 16, such as that employed in the FIG. I, may assist in the separation of container body 22 ofthe FIG. 6.

Thus, there has been described a container body separation apparatus and method wherein a rapidly advancing tubing 18,

to the radiant energy source 12 is detected by a photoelectric cell 52 which actuates, after a suitable delay, the radiant energy shields 54 and 54' which enclose the energy source 12. After a further delay, the radiant energy tubes 58, 58' and 58 housed within the radiant energy source 12 are triggered to concentrate their radiation upon the circumferential indicia 50. The circumferential indicia 50 will absorb sufficient heat to cause a melting of the tubing at which time the container conveyor 16 will assist in the separation of a container body 22 from the continuous section of tubing. The photoelectric cell 52 again detects the approach of the next circumferential indicia 50 at which time the radiant energy shields 54 and 54 are opened thus being removed from engaging the discharged container body 22 or the new section of tubing marked for separation.

In a second embodiment shown and described in the present invention, a tube-scoring device is substituted for the application of the circumferential indicia. in this manner, with the application of the radiant energy from the radiant energy source 12, tube separation is accomplished along the score marks in a manner similar to that accomplished by the application of the black strip or circumferential indicia 50 ofthe FIG. 1.

Thus, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of the equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What I claim is:

l. A radiant energy generator comprising a plurality of reflectors of uniform cross section from end to end circumferentially spaced from a center line about which tubing may be admitted, a radiant high energy source positioned within each of said reflectors, means for intermittently triggering each of said radiant energy sources, focusing means cooperating with the reflectors for concentrating energy from each of said radiant high energy sources in areas spaced equidistantly from and extending circumferentially around the center line about which said reflectors are spaced, and first and second radiant energy shield means positioned adjacent respective ends of said reflectors.

2. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflectors are parabolic in cross section.

3. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 2 wherein said focusing means cooperating with said reflectors are a plurality of semicylindrical quartz lenses.

4. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 2 wherein said focusing means cooperating with said reflectors are a plurality of lenses.

5. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said focusing means cooperating with said reflectors are a plurality of lenses.

6. A radiant energy generator as defined claim 1 wherein said reflectors are circularly arcuate in cross section.

7. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said first radiant energy shield means is a first radiant energy shield positioned adjacent an end of said plurality of reflectors, said first radiant energy shield comprising a base member having a pair of parallel projections, a solenoid coil supported on one end of each of said parallel projections, a pair of split rings, and an armature passing through each of said solenoid coils and supporting said pair of split rings.

8. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 7 wherein said second radiant energy shield means is a second radiant energy shield positioned adjacent the opposite end of said plurality of reflectors, said second radiant energy shield comprising a base member having a pair of parallel projections, a solenoid coil supported on one 'end of each of said parallel projections, a pair of split rings, and an annature passing through each of said solenoid coils and supporting said pair of split rings.

9. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 1 wherein each radiant energy source is a plasma discharge means.

10. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 9 wherein each plasma discharge means comprises a gas-filled tube having a cold cathode and cold anode.

11. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 9 wherein each plasma discharge means comprises a tube having helium therein.

12. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 9 wherein each plasma discharge means comprises a tube having argon therein.

13. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 9 wherein each plasma discharge means comprises a tube having nitrogen therein. 

1. A radiant energy generator comprising a plurality of reflectors of uniform cross section from end to end circumferentially spaced from a center line about which tubing may be admitted, a radiant high energy source positioned within each of said reflectors, means for intermittently triggering each of said radiant energy sources, focusing means cooperating with the reflectors for concentrating energy from each of said radiant high energy sources in areas spaced equidistantly from and extending circumferentially around the center line about which said reflectors are spaced, and first and second radiant energy shield means positioned adjacent respective ends of said reflectors.
 2. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflectors are parabolic in cross section.
 3. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 2 wherein said focusing means cooperating with said reflectors are a plurality of semicylindrical quartz lenses.
 4. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 2 wherein said focusing means cooperating with said reflectors are a plurality of lenses.
 5. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said focusing means cooperating with said reflectors are a plurality of lenses.
 6. A radiant energy generator as defined claim 1 wherein said reflectors are circularly arcuate in cross section.
 7. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 1 wherein said first radiant energy shield means is a first radiant energy shield positioned adjacent an end of said plurality of reflectors, said first radiant energy shield comprising a base member having a pair of parallel projections, a solenoid coil supported on one end of each of said parallel projections, a pair of split rings, and an armature passing through each of said solenoid coils and supporting said pair of split rings.
 8. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 7 wherein said second radiant energy shield means is a second radiant energy shield positioned adjacent the opposite end of said plurality of reflectors, said second radiant energy shield comprising a base member having a pair of parallel projections, a solenoid coil supported on one end of each of said parallel projections, a pair of split rings, and an armature passing through each of said solenoid coils and supporting said pair of split rings.
 9. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 1 wherein each radiant energy source is a plasma discharge means.
 10. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 9 wherein each plasma discharge means compriSes a gas-filled tube having a cold cathode and cold anode.
 11. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 9 wherein each plasma discharge means comprises a tube having helium therein.
 12. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 9 wherein each plasma discharge means comprises a tube having argon therein.
 13. A radiant energy generator as defined in claim 9 wherein each plasma discharge means comprises a tube having nitrogen therein. 